Clip

ABSTRACT

A clip comprising a first and second plate members pivotally connected to each other and each provided with jaws at one end thereof for engagement with an article to be clipped, the first plate member having a pivotal element which is integrally provided and traversely overbridging on the inner surface of the first plate member, the second plate member having a receiving element integrally provided on the outer surface of the second plate member so as to engage with the pivotal member, a closing member for retaining the plate members in the closed position, and a spring biasing the jaws to the opened position.

Takabayashi et a1.

May 6, 1975 CLIP Inventors: Teruo Takabayashi, Kyoto;

Hiroyuki Fukushima, Tokyo, both of Japan Assignee: Kohshoh Limited, Kyoto City, Japan Filed: Dec. 17, 1973 Appl. No.: 425,309

U.S. Cl 24/250; 16/171 Int. Cl A44b 21/00 Field of Search..... 24/250 HE, 49 R, 243, 251,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1887 Cushing 24/250 HE 11/1964 Seaver 16/171 Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman [57] ABSTRACT A clip comprising a first and second plate members pivotally connected to each other and each provided with jaws at one end thereof for engagement with an article to be clipped, the first plate member having a pivotal element which is integrally provided and traversely overbridging on the inner surface of the first plate member, the second plate member having a receiving element integrally provided on the outer surface of the second plate member so as to engage with the pivotal member, a closing member for retaining the plate members in the closed position, and a spring biasing the jaws to the opened position.

7 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures FHENTED MAY 6 I975 SHEET 10F 3 ATENTED HAY 5 i9 5 SHEET 2 U? 3 PATEFHEDHAY'SQE $381,228

sum 3 OF 3 u Will/[III CLIP This invention relates to a clip. An object of the invention is to provide an improved clip.

Another object of the invention is to improve the pivotal connection of the clip.

Further object of the invention is to provide a clip which is simple in construction thereof and economically produced and assembled.

To attain these objects, the clip according to the present invention comprises first and second plate members pivotally connected to each other and each provided with jaws at one end thereof for engagement with an article to be clipped, the first plate member having a pivotal element which is integrally provided and traversely overbridging on the inner surface of the first plate member, the second plate member having a receiving element integrally provided on the outer surface of the second plate member so as to engage with the pivotal member, a closing member for retaining the plate members in the closed position thereof, and a spring for biasing the jaws to the opened position.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a lateral side view of the clip embodying the invention wherein the clip is in the opened position thereof;

FIG. 2 is the same with that as shown in FIG. 1 but provided with the clip in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inner surface of the first plate member of the clip;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outer surface of the second plate member of the clip;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a variation of a receiving member of the second plate member;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the inner surface of the second plate member;

FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective view modified embodiments of the pivotal element and the receiving element of the plate members;

FIG. 8 is a partially sectional view of a clip provided with further modified pivotal element and receiving element;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the pivotal element and the receiving element as shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating further modifications of the pivotal element and the receiving element as shown in FIG. 8; I

FIG. 11 is a partially sectional view of a clip with further modified pivotal element and receiving element;

FIG. 12 is a partial plan view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates in a partial perspective view further modified embodiment of the pivotal element;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a spring;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a closing member;

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view showing other closing member with a cut-off portion; and

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view illustrating a modified first plate member.

Referring to the drawings, the clip A includes first and second plate members 1, 2 pivotally connected to each other, each of said plate members having at one end thereof a jaw 3, 4 each provided with soft pads 5, 6 between which an article to be clipped is resiliently pressed when the jaws are in the closed position as shown in FIG. 2.

The first plate member 1 is provided with an integral pivotal element 7 bridging over the inner surface thereof and the second plate member 2 has a receiving element 8 integrally provided on the outer surface thereof.

The pivotal element 7 comprises a pair of legs 7a, 7a extending perpendicularly to the inner surface of the plate member 1 at opposite sides thereof and an integral pivot pin 7b spanned between the legs. The pivot pin 7b preferably includes a rounded surface at least in its lower portion thereby facilitating the pivotal movement of the second plate member 2, as illustrated. The receiving element 8 comprises a traversely extending groove 8 provided with a rounded inner surface, which engages the pivot pin 7b of the pivotal element 7 thereby providing the pivotal connection of the plate members.

In FIG. 5 found is a variaton of the groove 8 as shown in FIG. 4, which comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced and traversely extending ridges 8a, 8a and a channel 8b defined therebetween.

FIGS. 7-12 illustrate modified embodiments of the pivotal element and the receiving element according to the invention.

Referring first to FIG. 7, a pivotal element 27 comprises a pair of legs 27a, 27a which have the same structure as those shown in FIG. 3 and pins 27b 2711 traversely extending from the legs opposedly to each other to form a cut-off portion 270 therebetween. The receiving element 28 is provided with two grooves 28a 28a formed in the outer surface of the second plate member 2 at opposite sides, these grooves being adapted to engage with said pin 27b 27b respectively. In this case, the two grooves 28a 28a may be replaced by the same single groove as that shown in FIG. 6.

A pivotal element 37 as shown in FIG. 8 is similar to the element shown in FIG. 3 with the exception that a pin 27b is provided at its central position with a generally semi-spherical pivot 37d which projects toward the outer surface of the second plate member 2 the semispherical pivot 37d serves as a receiving element by engaging with a recess 38 having an inner surface shaped in correspondence with the shape of the pivot, thereby providing the pivotal connection of the plate members.

FIG. 10 illustrates variations of the pivot and the recess in FIG. 9 in which a pivot 47d is in the shape of a half-disk and a recess has a inner surface shaped substantially in correspondence with the shape of the pivot 47d.

A pivotal element 57 as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 is similar to that shown in FIG. 8 with the exception that a pivot 57d of the element is in the shape of an egg or a ball. A receiving element 58 illustrated comprises a pair of traversely spaced-apart egg or ball-shaped elements 18a, 18a which are integrally formed on the outer surface of the second plate member 2, wherein the pivot 57d should be positioned in the rearward of the pair of elements 18a, 18a. The egg or ball shap'ed pivot 57d engages with the pair of elements 18a, 18a to provide the pivotal connection of the plate members.

The pivotal element and the receiving element of the invention ar Breferably moulded of Plastic materials, respectively, 't@gther with the fif'si plate member and the second plate friember. I-IowEVf; hch pivotal element formed integrall with the plastic plate member may be in the form of a metallic gate arm 67 as shown in FIG. 12. Such a metallic arm will be integrated with the plate member in the stage of the moulding.

Disposed between the first and second plate members l, 2, is a spring 8 for biasing the jaws 3, 4 to the opened position. The spring 8 is a generally V shaped compression spring of a steel strip, as shown in FIG. 14. One end of the spring is fitted in a groove 9 formed in the inner surface of the first plate member 1, and the other end is fitted in a groove 10 formed in the inner face of the second plate member 2.

Movably mounted adjacent to the rear end of the second plate member 2 is a closing member 11 which is movable between a first position (see FIG. 2) in which it holds the rear ends of the plate members 1, 2 apart from each other and fore ends or jaws 3, 4 together against the force of the spring 8 and a second position (see FIG. 1) in which the closing member permits the rear ends of the plate members to move toward each other to separate the jaws.

The closing member 11 which is formed of moulded plastic materials, is generally L-shaped and includes a tail portion 11A and a clip-engaging portion 118 extending generally perpendicularly to the tail portion. Further, the closing member is provided with a central openings 12 (see FIG. through which the rear end of the second plate member 2 extends when the closing member is in the second position as shown in FIG. 1.

The tail portion 11A of the closing member 11 is provided with a slit 13 for securing the clip A to a belt or strap generally designated by the reference B. The slit 13 is spaced from the central opening 12 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Moreover, the tail portion may be provided with a cut-off portion 13a communicated to the slit for facilitating fitting of the belt into the slit.

The first plate member 1 includes a stop element 14 extending from the rear end thereof toward the rear end of the second plate member 2. The stop element 14 is engageable with the tail portion 11A when the closing member is in the first position.

The clip-engaging portion 11B includes a pair of projections 15, 16 extending generally perpendicularly to the tail portion 11A. When the closing member 11 is in the first position, one projection 15 fits in a recess 17 formed in the first plate member 1 while the other pro jection 16 fits in a recess 18 formed in the second plate member 2, thereby holding the rear ends of the plate members apart from each other. The projections 15, 16 are extended between the plate members generally parallel therewith when the closing member is in the second position. Thus, in use, the clip is perfectly locked in the closed position for gripping, whereby an article fitted between the jaws is prevented from slipping off from the jaws even if the tention of the belt or strap is considerably high.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, a pair of lugs 19, 20 may be provided on the second plate member 2 so as not to readily disengage from the first plate member 1. Such lugs 19, 20 are adapted to be disposed inside the pivot element of the first plate member. In other words, the lugs 19, 20 act as means for preventing the first plate member from disengaging and rolling, and consequently differ essentially from the conventional lugs for a pivot.

AS stated above, the pivotal element 7 and receiving element 8 for providing the pivotal connection are very simple in configuration, and therefore the manufacture and assembly of the clip are extremely easy and thus the cost of manufacture is low. Moreover, the function of the pivotal element 7 and the receiving element 8 compares quite well with that of the conventional pivotal connecting members.

What I claim is:

l. A clip comprising a first and a second plate members pivotally connected to each other and each provided with jaws at one end thereof for engagement with an article to be clipped, the first plate member having a pivotal element which is integrally provided and traversely overbridging on the inner surface of the first plate member, the second plate member having a receiving element integrally provided on the outer surface of the second plate member so as to engage with the pivotal member, a closing member for retaining the plate members in the closed position, and a spring biasing the jaws to the opened position.

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the pivotal element comprises a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to the inner surface of the first plate member at opposite sides thereof and a pin spanned between the legs, and the receiving element is a groove traversely formed in the outer surface of the second plate member, the pin engaging with the groove to provide the pivotal connection of the plate members.

3. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the pivotal element comprises a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to the inner surface of the first plate member at opposite sides thereof, a pin spanned between and formed integral with the legs and a suitably shaped pivot projecting from the pin toward the outer surface of the second plate member, and the receiving element is a recess which is formed in the outer surface of the second plate member and provided with a corresponding inner surface, the pivot engaging with the recess to provide the pivotal connection of the plate members.

4. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the pivotal element comprises a pair of legs perpendicularly extending from the inner surface of the first plate member at opposite sides thereof, a pin spanned between the legs and an egg or ball-shaped pivot projecting from the pin toward the outer surface of the second plate member, and the receiving element is a pair of traversely spaced-apart egg or ball-shaped elements formed on the outer surface of the second plate member, the pivot engaging with the elements therebetween to provide the pivotal connection of the plate member.

5. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the pivotal element comprises a pair of legs perpendicularly extending from the inner surface of the first plate member at opposite sides thereof, pins traversely extending from the legs in an opposed relation to each other to form a cut-off portion therebetween, and the receiving element is a groove or grooves traversely formed in the outer surface of the second plate member, the pins engaging with said groove or grooves to provide the pivotal connection of the plate members.

6. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the closing member is movably mounted adjacent to the rear end of the second member, said closing member being generally L-shaped, including a tail portion and a clipengaging portion extending generally perpendicularly to the tail portion, and being provided with a central opening through which the rear end of the second plate member extends when the closing member is in the opened position, the tail portion being provided with a slit for securing the clip to a belt or strap.

7. A clip as claimed in claim 6 in which the tail portion of the closing member is provided with a cut-off portion communicated with the slit. 

1. A clip comprising a first and a second plate members pivotally connected to each other and each provided with jaws at one end thereof for engagement with an article to be clipped, the first plate member having a pivotal element which is integrally provided and traversely overbridging on the inner surface of the first plate member, the second plate membEr having a receiving element integrally provided on the outer surface of the second plate member so as to engage with the pivotal member, a closing member for retaining the plate members in the closed position, and a spring biasing the jaws to the opened position.
 2. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the pivotal element comprises a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to the inner surface of the first plate member at opposite sides thereof and a pin spanned between the legs, and the receiving element is a groove traversely formed in the outer surface of the second plate member, the pin engaging with the groove to provide the pivotal connection of the plate members.
 3. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the pivotal element comprises a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to the inner surface of the first plate member at opposite sides thereof, a pin spanned between and formed integral with the legs and a suitably shaped pivot projecting from the pin toward the outer surface of the second plate member, and the receiving element is a recess which is formed in the outer surface of the second plate member and provided with a corresponding inner surface, the pivot engaging with the recess to provide the pivotal connection of the plate members.
 4. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the pivotal element comprises a pair of legs perpendicularly extending from the inner surface of the first plate member at opposite sides thereof, a pin spanned between the legs and an egg or ball-shaped pivot projecting from the pin toward the outer surface of the second plate member, and the receiving element is a pair of traversely spaced-apart egg or ball-shaped elements formed on the outer surface of the second plate member, the pivot engaging with the elements therebetween to provide the pivotal connection of the plate member.
 5. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the pivotal element comprises a pair of legs perpendicularly extending from the inner surface of the first plate member at opposite sides thereof, pins traversely extending from the legs in an opposed relation to each other to form a cut-off portion therebetween, and the receiving element is a groove or grooves traversely formed in the outer surface of the second plate member, the pins engaging with said groove or grooves to provide the pivotal connection of the plate members.
 6. A clip as claimed in claim 1 in which the closing member is movably mounted adjacent to the rear end of the second member, said closing member being generally L-shaped, including a tail portion and a clip-engaging portion extending generally perpendicularly to the tail portion, and being provided with a central opening through which the rear end of the second plate member extends when the closing member is in the opened position, the tail portion being provided with a slit for securing the clip to a belt or strap.
 7. A clip as claimed in claim 6 in which the tail portion of the closing member is provided with a cut-off portion communicated with the slit. 